With his highly anticipated return to the lead role in the Disney+ series Obi Wan Kenobi, Ewan McGregor has proven himself to be a huge star on the big and small screen. While the Scottish actor began his career starring in small British films in the mid-90s, his talents were finally noticed around the world when McGregor scored the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the star wars prequel trilogy in 1999.
He’s had lead roles in musicals, dramas, horror movies, and everything in between. The film website IMDb gave each McGregor film a rating (on a scale of 1 to 10) based on fan votes.
Updated May 18, 2022 by Shawn S. Lealos: Ewan McGregor returns as Obi-Wan Kenobi in 2022 for his own Disney+ streaming series. It will take him back to the role he last played 17 years ago when he helped wrap up the Star Wars prequels, and it will remind fans of one of the bright spots in that movie trilogy.
With McGregor back in a blockbuster role, it’s the perfect time to look back and check out the impressive cinematic output the actor has achieved over his career. Unlike some actors, who have a handful of great performances under their belt, McGregor has several movies that IMDb fans have given high marks to, and even his 15th best movie still gets more acceptance than some actor’s best releases.
15 August: Osage County (2013) – 7.2
- Stream now on Fubo and Showtime.
In 2013, Ewan McGregor took on the role of Bill Fordham in the Pulitzer Prize-winning adaptation of the stage play of the same name. He was part of a large ensemble cast that included Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Benedict Cumberbatch and Chris Cooper.
While Streep and Roberts earned Oscar nominations for their roles, McGregor also received accolades for his performance as Julia Roberts’ estranged husband in the darkly humorous comedy-drama directed by the same man who created the room.
14 Beginners (2010) – 7.2
- Available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play and Vudu.
Ewan McGregor starred opposite Christopher Plummer in the 2010 film Beginners. Told in flashbacks, McGregor is Oliver, a man who reflects on the life and death of his father. Plummer plays Oliver’s father and the film is based on director Mike Mills’ own experience when his father came out at the age of 75.
Flashbacks show the times when Hal came out as gay to his son after Oliver’s mother died. While Hal is part of the gay community, Oliver must come to terms with the new truth while trying to start a romance with a French actress himself. Plummer has received several accolades for her performance and Beginners finished on several top 10 lists.
13 The Ghost Writer (2010) – 7.2
- Stream now on Hoopla and IndieFlix.
The Ghost Writer was a 2010 thriller where Ewan McGregor played a ghostwriter, writing an autobiography of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang, played by Pierce Brosnan. When Lang is accused of war crimes, the ghostwriter begins to receive documents involving him in a massive conspiracy.
When the ghostwriter realizes he is being followed, he realizes his life is in danger and it might have to do with the former prime minister’s connections. McGregor was nominated and won several awards for his role in the film.
12 Brewed (1996) – 7.2
- Available to rent on Prime Video and Google Play.
In 1996, Ewan McGregor landed roles in dark movies like shallow grave and Trainspotting and took something very different in Brewed. It was a British comedy with Ewan playing the lead role alongside Pete Postlethwaite and Tara Fitzgerald.
The film was about a colliery marching band around the time of coal mine closures in Britain in the 1980s. While the film dealt with the depression that set in in the community where the pits were closed, he was praised for his positive promotion of marching bands and their music.
11 T2 Trainspotting (2017) – 7.2
In 2017, Ewan McGregor returned to Trainspotting, the film that made him a star. Danny Boyle brought back his cast 21 years after the first Trainspotting for its sequel, T2 Trainspotting. Only loosely based on the following novel, Pornthe film has McGregor playing the role of Renton, 20 years after he stole drug money from his friends.
He had rebuilt his life and then suffered a heart attack two decades after his sobriety from heroin. Renton, going through a midlife crisis, returns to Edinburgh and reconnects with his old friends where he realizes that old grudges still smolder.
ten Christopher Robin (2018) – 7.2
- Stream now on Disney+.
McGregor starred as an adult Christopher Robin in this 2018 comedy-drama based on Winnie the Pooh books. Now living with his family in London, Christopher Robin is drowning in his busy professional life.
However, he begins to reconsider his priorities after reuniting with his childhood friends from the Hundred Acre Wood, including Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, and Pooh. Christopher RobinThe sweet story and charming humor of Winnie the Pooh franchise.
9 Shallow Grave (1994) – 7.3
- Available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play and Vudu.
Although McGregor was relatively unknown in 1994, he still managed to get a role in this black British crime comedy. shallow grave finds an accountant, a doctor and a journalist (McGregor) looking for a roommate for their apartment.
However, after the new guy ends up dying of a drug overdose, the three must figure out what to do with him and his money. The layered plot and elegant feel of shallow grave thrilled viewers.
8 Doctor Sleep (2019) – 7.3
- Stream now on HBO Max.
by Stephen King Doctor Sleepdirect sequel to his 1977 novel the brilliantcame to the big screen in 2019. In it, McGregor plays Danny Torrance, a psychic man who must protect a girl with special powers after being targeted by a cult called the True Knot.
The rich story and terrifying twists immediately drew moviegoers into the story. It’s also a rarity because it took the movie and the book, which were surprisingly different, and Doctor Sleep offered a sequel to both of them in one fell swoop.
7 The Impossible (2012) – 7.5
- Available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play and Vudu.
The impossible, which is based on the real-life experiences of María Belón, follows a family who end up getting stuck in the 2003 Indian Ocean tsunami while traveling around Christmas.
The family of five included Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor as parents, and Tom Holland as a 12-year-old son. The strong action and tense story had viewers on the edge of their seats.
6 Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) – 7.6
- Stream now on Disney+.
Ewan McGregor has entered the fantastic star wars universe in 1999, playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The actor continued his role throughout the prequel trilogy, ending with Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005.
In this episode, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker team up to rescue Chancellor Palpatine General Grievous. However, after Anakin is asked to spy on Palpatine, it’s not long before he’s tricked into joining the dark side. The thoughtful narrative and thrilling yet emotional conclusion kept fans happy.
5 Red Mill! (2001) – 7.6
This 2001 jukebox musical follows a young English writer who falls in love with the Moulin Rouge cabaret star. However, he soon has to deal with her impending marriage to someone else and the secret she has kept from her two lovers.
The audience loved it Red Mill!is eccentric and eccentric. The chemistry between the protagonists (McGregor and Nicole Kidman) was also hard to ignore. The film won Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design at the Oscars.
4 Black Hawk Down (2001) – 7.7
- Stream now on HBO Max.
McGregor took on the role of SPC “Grimesey” in this 2001 war film, based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Mark Bowden. The film focuses on the American military raid that took place during the Battle of Mogadishu.
Black Hawk Down was regarded for its polished production and frenetic story. It earned him Best Film Editing and Best Sound at the Oscars.
3 Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015) – 7.8
- Stream now on Disney+.
Although McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi didn’t make a physical appearance in the force awakenshe received a voice appearance near the start of the sequel trilogy. the force awakens picks up thirty years after the destruction of the Galactic Empire.
Now Han Solo, Rey, Finn and their allies face the threat of Kylo Ren and the First Order. During a scene in which Rey takes Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, you can hear McGregor mutter her name. the force awakens received praise for renewing the franchise with great action, dazzling visual effects, and engaging new characters.
2 Big Fish (2003) – 8.0
- Streaming now on Netflix.
Based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace, Tim Burton’s Big fish follows a man, William, who is to visit his father, Edward, on his deathbed. Although William thinks his father’s fanciful stories are made up, he begins to uncover the truth behind them after looking a little deeper.
McGregor plays a young Edward in multiple flashbacks to his previous life. Big fishThe moving story and the artistic setting of a fairy tale impressed moviegoers.
1 Trainspotting (1996) – 8.1
- Available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play and Vudu.
Topping the list of the highest rated McGregor movies of all time is Trainspotting. This 1996 British black comedy crime film focuses on the life of heroin addicts in an economically struggling area of Edinburgh. McGregor plays Mark “Rent Boy” Renton, who deals with unemployment while living with his parents in the suburbs.
The film received a lot of acclaim for dealing with serious subject matter while also packing in the entertainment. Additionally, critics called out McGregor in particular for his detailed, hard-to-match performance.
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Ewan McGregor’s 15 Best Movies (According To IMDb) – CNET – ApparelGeek